Pictured L-R: Dr Eleanor Walsh, STEM Outreach Manager at CRAFT; Dr Maeve Liston, Director of Enterprise & Community Engagement; Annette Cregan, Assistant Professor in Taught Postgraduate Programmes & International Education Programmes, International Office; and Dr Holly Cowman, Director of International Engagement at MIC.
Mary Immaculate College (MIC) has been recognised by winning three awards at the Education Awards 2026, held in Meath on Thursday 16 April.
MIC’s International Office received two awards on the night: Best Collaboration – International for the MIC/CAPES Programme and Best International Engagement. The College’s CRAFT initiative was also recognised, receiving the award for Best Education Outreach – Learner, Schools & Academic Engagement.
The awards acknowledge the breadth of activity across MIC, from international partnerships to community-focused engagement and outreach.
Welcoming the recognition, Professor Dermot Nestor, President of MIC, said:
"From seed funding to Discover Centre to national award, CRAFT illustrates everything about MIC's approach to community engagement: ambition, rigour, and genuine impact for over 40,000 children and families across the Mid-West. With two additional awards for our International Office, the 2026 Education Awards make a real statement about the College's standing. These recognitions don't happen by accident. They reflect the dedication of exceptional colleagues, and a college that knows exactly what it stands for.”
Commenting on the awards, Dr Holly Cowman, Director of International Engagement at MIC, said:
“We are delighted to see the work of the International Office recognised in this way. The award for Best International Collaboration reflects the strength of our partnership with CAPES and the hard work and dedication of the programme team, contributors and participants, leading to the programme’s success. At the same time, the award for International Engagement acknowledges the wider efforts of colleagues across the College in creating opportunities for students and building global connections.”
Also welcoming the CRAFT award, Dr Maeve Liston, Director of Enterprise & Community Engagement at MIC, added:
“This recognition of CRAFT is particularly meaningful as it affirms the importance of participatory and sustained engagement with schools, families and communities. This work is built on strong partnerships and a shared commitment to making STEAM education inclusive, accessible and relevant, and it is very encouraging to see the impact and transformative nature of CRAFT acknowledged through this award.”
